and a Parson Russell?
It has always confused me. Some say just the name has changed while others say they are different dogs/breeds.
The Parson Russel terrier is a taller, more square dog, while the Russell terrier is shorter, and longer than it is tall.
Note that the Parson Russell is an AKC accepted breed, and the Russell terrier is in the FSS of the AKC, on its way to being an excepted breed. AFAIK, the Russell terrier is the same as the Jack Russell terrier, but there is a problem with the AKC using the "Jack Russell" name, due to the parent breed clubs, etc.
From the American Russell Terrier web site:
"Controversy of the name Parson Russell Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, and Russell Terrier
The Russell Terrier originated in England but was never recognized as an official breed in the UK. Australia is designated as country of development for the Russell Terrier. In Australia and Europe with the FCI countries the Russell Terrier is known as the Jack Russell Terrier. Due the conflicting use of the name by the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America "JRTCA" in the US the name can not be utilized for the Russell Terrier in the US. The AKC Russell Terrier is the same as the Australian FCI Jack Russell Terrier. The AKC Russell Terrier is not the same as the Jack Russell Terrier in the US and must be considered a distinctly separate breed due to the development of the "JRTCA" Jack Russell Terrier regardless of height. The "JRTCA" followed England's recognition of the Jack Russell Terrier type not Australia. The Jack Russell Terrier in Australia and the FCI Jack Russell Terrier in Europe is maintained as a distinctly separate breed from the AKC Parson Russell Terrier, the "JRTCA" Jack Russell Terrier in the US and the Jack Russell Terrier in England. (Also see: Education)."
Add: they started out as the same breed, but different parent breed clubs in different countries started allowing the registration/breeding of dogs outside of the breed standard, and/or changed the breed standard to include these dogs. That's why the "traditional" type is the square, longer-legged terrier (the "Parson" type), as this is body shape conforms to the standard of the British breed club. The shorter body type was developed, and since they do not conform to the standard, my guess is that the breeders of those dogs formed their own breed club, called the Jack Russell terrier in the US. So basically, they are all the same dog, with different size ranges called different "breeds", and the different names are more due to politics of the kennel clubs and parent breed clubs than any true distinction between the types. That's my theory, anyway 
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February 12th, 2009 at 6:07 am
They have different coats?
Jack russells tend to be smooth.
References :
February 12th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Not much. I think Pason’s are recognized by the AKC and jack russell was just the name given to them in the begining.
Some guy named Jack Russell came up with the breed or someting from what I remember.
References :
February 12th, 2009 at 6:50 am
The Parson Russel terrier is a taller, more square dog, while the Russell terrier is shorter, and longer than it is tall.
Note that the Parson Russell is an AKC accepted breed, and the Russell terrier is in the FSS of the AKC, on its way to being an excepted breed. AFAIK, the Russell terrier is the same as the Jack Russell terrier, but there is a problem with the AKC using the "Jack Russell" name, due to the parent breed clubs, etc.
From the American Russell Terrier web site:
"Controversy of the name Parson Russell Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, and Russell Terrier
The Russell Terrier originated in England but was never recognized as an official breed in the UK. Australia is designated as country of development for the Russell Terrier. In Australia and Europe with the FCI countries the Russell Terrier is known as the Jack Russell Terrier. Due the conflicting use of the name by the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America "JRTCA" in the US the name can not be utilized for the Russell Terrier in the US. The AKC Russell Terrier is the same as the Australian FCI Jack Russell Terrier. The AKC Russell Terrier is not the same as the Jack Russell Terrier in the US and must be considered a distinctly separate breed due to the development of the "JRTCA" Jack Russell Terrier regardless of height. The "JRTCA" followed England's recognition of the Jack Russell Terrier type not Australia. The Jack Russell Terrier in Australia and the FCI Jack Russell Terrier in Europe is maintained as a distinctly separate breed from the AKC Parson Russell Terrier, the "JRTCA" Jack Russell Terrier in the US and the Jack Russell Terrier in England. (Also see: Education)."
Add: they started out as the same breed, but different parent breed clubs in different countries started allowing the registration/breeding of dogs outside of the breed standard, and/or changed the breed standard to include these dogs. That's why the "traditional" type is the square, longer-legged terrier (the "Parson" type), as this is body shape conforms to the standard of the British breed club. The shorter body type was developed, and since they do not conform to the standard, my guess is that the breeders of those dogs formed their own breed club, called the Jack Russell terrier in the US. So basically, they are all the same dog, with different size ranges called different "breeds", and the different names are more due to politics of the kennel clubs and parent breed clubs than any true distinction between the types. That's my theory, anyway
References :
Another link:
http://shortjrt.homestead.com/Education.html
February 12th, 2009 at 7:01 am
These names are quite connected with each other. Here’s the link that tells why,
http://dogtime.com/jack-russell-terrier.html
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February 12th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Russell Terrier is the breed. The only difference is the breeding clubs.
References :
February 12th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Parsons tend to have longer legs and as they can be KC registered they have a standard height of 10 - 15 inches. In jack russells there is no uniformity of size, though they do tend to be shorter and more squat than the parsons. The parsons were bred to keep up with horses and flush out foxes whereas jack russells are used mainly as ratters. Both breeds can, however have rough or smooth coats. Jack Russells are not recognized as a breed by the kennel club (UK) whereas parsons are!
References :
February 12th, 2009 at 8:19 am
The name mostly. The Parsons is the AKC name for the dog. Jack Russell is the short name. people add stuff and even make stuff up. like the “English” Jack Russell, which is just a short legged jack russell… of pet quality ONLY and not for showing.
References :
February 12th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Outside of the AKC and “official” naming of the breed, the name Jack Russell is usually used when referring to the smooth-coated version of the breed and the Parsons is used to refer to the wire-haired version. They’re the same exact breed, but with variations in their coat texture.
References :